Peg’s Journal

2007 was a blessed year…full of laughter, love, growth, and amazing memories. After struggling with depression for the past few years, and the pain of my grandmother’s passing (in early 2007), I have found some healing, happiness, and peace within. I finally feel emotionally and mentally strong, healthy, and whole again. My outlook has been brighter than it has been in a long time. And if that wasn’t enough, physically, I had lost some weight and feel more energetic! *YAY!*
My husband, children, family, and friends have all contributed to getting me where I am today. *sniff* I am really lucky.

Highlights of 2007:
- my kiddies first visit to the snow
- a much needed hiatus
- Amanda & Christel’s return from Iraq
- Summer’s 3rd birthday
- Ashlyn’s Kindergarten promotion
- John & Angela’s wedding
- summer-break in NorCal
- an unforgettable Japan/Taiwan vacation with family
- Summer starts preschool
- Ashlyn starts 1st Grade
- getting a paycheck again (after all these years!)
- Cookie joins our family
- Ashlyn’s 5th birthday
- Sarah’s 30th Birthday in Napa
- 2 engagements
- 3 other weddings
- 15 births (9 boys, 6 girls)!!!
- 6 pregnancies announced (so far)

My top 10 resolutions for 2008
1. keeping in better touch with friends via phone
2. spend less/save $$$
3. exercise
4. blog more
5. blog more about Summer
6. respond to emails promptly
7. take more pictures
8. go to bed earlier
9. take my vitamins
10. nag the kiddies and hubby less (haha!)

Wishing you all the very best for a happy, healthy, safe, and prosperous 2008!

Tags: Aric, Ashlyn, baby, family, friends, girlfriends, kiddies, Summer, vacation, Weddings

I flew up to NorCal over the weekend to celebrate my darling Sarah’s birthday. We spent a beautiful Saturday cruising around Napa Valley in a limo, indulging in spa treatments at Mount View Hotel & Spa, visiting a few lovely vineyards, wine-tasting, shopping at V.Sattui’s and Dean & Deluca’s, and enjoying dinner at Napa Vally Grille.

With everyones’ busy schedules, times like this is infinitely priceless. Even though it wasn’t my birthday, I felt like it was. I loved the limo ride the best…being surrounded by my closest girlfriends, talking, sipping champagne and noshing on smoked duck, varieties of soft cheeses, homemade crostinis, fruit, and blood orange juice, taking tons of pictures, and laughing till my face hurt. Pure happiness!!!

Happy 30th Birthday, girl! I love you!

Click here for Sarah’s Napa Getaway pictures.

The rest of my weekend was spent with my parents, Sis, nieces, Eva, and Curtis. I did a bit of Christmas shopping on Sunday at Santana Row and crashed a Christmas party thrown by temple friends.
Click here for misc family pictures.

I flew back Sunday night to big smiles and warm hugs from the hubby and Summer. Ashlyn had fallen asleep in the car enroute to the airport and was out for the night.

Tags: birthday party, family, girlfriends, NorCal, pictures, weekend

“Busy” and “Tired” are words I commonly use to describe my days as of late. I would love to post more…but my days are busy, and by the end of the night, I’m too tired. These days, I barely call my mom, and my dear sisters and friends back home never hear from me. This blog is the only forum for them to see what we’re up to….and even then, I’m lucky to crank out something once a week.

With all the time that passes with little or no communication between my loved ones back home, I fear that we might drift apart. I’m saddened by that thought. Last night I drempt of my girlfriends. It was almost a collage of memories we shared of years past. In my dream, my girlfriends and I were preparing to throw a party. I was not married nor did I have children…but a part of me knew it was a dream. Just like in the movies, where you’re aware that you’ve been given a chance to go back in time, I asorbed being surrounded by those I love and miss…Bett - laughing and draping her arm over my shoulder. Ivy - sampling something yummy she made and talking with her mouth full. Wil - clapping and doing some silly dance with her crazy long arms. Sarah - sitting in a chair and giggling along. I felt utterly happy. After I woke up, I laid in bed still thinking about the dream…as my tears rolled onto my pillow. *sigh*

last week

Last week, I spent a lot of time at school (aside from work). Helped out with the Arts Masters program, visited the Book Fair (twice), and had Ashlyn’s class decorate the birdhouse for the Fall Fundraiser. Summer was home sick both Thursday and Friday with fever and cold. I had to drag my poor baby to work with me (since we’re so desperately short-staffed). Despite her discomfort, Summer was such an angel. She never complained, whined, or fussed….not once during the time she spent with me at work or at home. Of course, once her sister got home from school, it was a whole different story.

By Saturday, Summer was well enough to attend a birthday party with Ashlyn.

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Saturday night, Aric and the fellas took the kiddies to dinner and a showing of “A Bee Movie” while I enjoyed a much needed evening out with the ladies celebrating Patti’s birthday. We went to Honda-Ya for dinner, The Melting Pot for dessert, and swung by a friend’s “Playboy” party before calling it a night. The party was held at some mansion in the Orange Hills area with limo shuttle service. We didn’t stay too long….just long enough for a shot, a tour around the mansion, and some dancing.

Sunday, we spent the day at my in-laws’. We ate at a yummy Malaysian restaurant in Arcadia for dinner before catching a showing of “The Game Plan”. I loved the movie and I found myself falling hard for Dina’s man. hehehe

No school on Monday due to Veteran’s Day. The kiddies and I met with Grace (and kids) for lunch, frozen yogurt, and some shopping. My little one is still coughing and sniffly, so we didn’t stay out too long.

Today we resumed normal school schedule. Summer, having not gone to school for 5 days, kinda dragged her feet getting ready this morning. Today was a brutal day of homework for Ashlyn….I sat with her for 3 hours doing her homework packet. Then Aric sat with her for 2 hours completing her homework packet and reading/answering questions for the Jr. Great Books program. It normally takes her a couple of hours to finish her homework packet (for the week), but I don’t know what was taking her so long today. It didn’t help that her friends kept ringing our doorbell asking if she could play. I told Ashlyn that she didn’t have to finish it today, but she prefers to get it all done in one sitting. That way, she could read, review, and play at her leisure for the remainder of the week. Ashlyn totally reminds me of Wil that way. I, on the other hand, would wait to do my homework at the very last minute. HAHAHA!

My sinuses are acting up today… …I hope I’m not coming down with what Summer had.

Tags: birthday party, dreams, girlfriends, kiddies, movies, pictures, weekend

(Robert Palmer’s ladies got nothing on these girls)

I love my girlfriends…they are funny, and smart, and sweet, and not bad looking either.
We’re all kinda different…yet, we click. I wish I knew how to describe the alchemy that goes on between us, but it’s awesome.

For example, the story behind the above picture: Wil found bright red lipstick in her car. She took it to Girl’s Nite and asked if it belonged to anyone. No one claimed it…yet they all tried it on (and mugged for the camera). Isn’t applying mysterious lipstick like kissing a stranger? Gross. *pause* Yeah, I would have sooooo put some on too!

Four of the six gals above are visiting this weekend. I CAN’T WAIT!!! I CAN’T WAIT!!! I CAN’T WAIT!!!
Bett and Em, it’s not too late for you guys to join us!

Tags: girlfriends

2006 was a good year. As always, I’m blessed by the awesome love and support that constantly surrounds me through my amazing husband and delightful daughters, my family, and my friends (old and new).

Highlights of 2006:
- Sis & Joe’s wedding
- unforgettable first trip to NYC & Bett’s Bachelorette
- Summer’s 2nd birthday
- Patrick & Karen’s wedding
- Bett & Chew’s wedding
- Aric’s graduation (FEMBA)
- Hawaiian cruise with the family
- Ashlyn starts kindergarten
- Ashlyn’s 5th birthday
- Peg’s little barrette business
- 11 other weddings
- 2 engagements
- 20 births (12 boys, 8 girls)!!!

Wishing you all the very best for a happy, healthy, safe, and prosperous 2007!

**i posted this right before the new year and it went missing. i finally figured out where it went….it was posted under january 1, 2006! HA! just like every year, it’s going to take me a while to get used to writing 2007:roll:**

Tags: Aric, Ashlyn, baby, family, friends, girlfriends, kiddies, Summer, vacation, Weddings